Rick Santorum To Join Gay Marriage Foe NOM At 'March For Marriage'

The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) announced on Friday that former presidential candidate Rick Santorum will speak at its upcoming March for Marriage.

Opponents of marriage equality will gather for a morning rally on June 19, 2014 at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., followed by a march to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“I'm thrilled to announce that my good friend and stalwart marriage, family and life champion, presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum will be speaking at this year's March for Marriage on June 19,” NOM President Brian Brown said in a blog post.

“The battle for marriage in the United States is just beginning and the March for Marriage on June 19th will be a clarion call to the U.S. Supreme Court and Congress, as well as the mainstream media, that America stands for marriage as the union of one man and one woman.”

“The lineup of prominent national speakers, including Senator Santorum, who are committed to working with us to preserve marriage as the union of one man and one woman stands in stark contrast to the transparent attempts of many in the mainstream media to convince Americans that the debate about marriage is all but over.”

“As we take to the streets of Washington, DC on June 19th, encouraged by the words of Senator Santorum and others, we will make it clear to the Supreme Court, the Congress, and the media elites that Americans still stand for marriage and the truth that children deserve both a mother and a father,” Brown added.

While Santorum has repeatedly spoken out against gay rights, his inclusion at this year's rally is unexpected. In promoting his latest book, Blue Collar Conservatives: Recommitting to an America that Works, Santorum has shied away from discussing such issues. During a Fox News appearance, he dodged questions about marriage equality. Similarly, when asked to comment on Pennsylvania becoming the 19^th state to allow gay couples to marry, Santorum refused to answer.

Additional speakers expected at NOM's march include former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, New York State Senator Ruben Diaz, Pastor Jim Garlow, La Manif Pour Tous President Ludovine de la Rochere, author Ryan T. Anderson and American Values President Gary Bauer.